It’s a big clash and one of the most anticipated battles of the season in the English Premier League as Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal welcomes EPL leaders, Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea to the Emirates tomorrow afternoon.
The Gunners need to win in order to keep their faint Premier League title hopes alive, with Chelsea almost home and dry having established a 10-point lead with six games remaining.
Then there is the streak that Arsenal fans’ would rather not talk about. The streak that sees Arsene Wenger having never emerged triumphant when faced against Jose Mourinho, with the Portuguese winning seven and drawing five of their clashes,
Over the years Wenger has beaten most managers but the Jose jinx remains and the formbook would place Chelsea as the favourites tomorrow.
A trait of the fixture list meant that Arsenal played their London rivals on Wenger’s 500th and 1,000th game and Mourinho emerged victorious both times.
Last season’s landmark occasion was ruined for Wenger as Chelsea thrashed his side 6-0 having conceded twice in the first seven minutes through Samuel Eto’o and Andre Schurrle.
Eden Hazard scored from the spot after an Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain handball – Kieran Gibbs was sent off in a case of mistaken identity – and 10-man Arsenal crumbled. Oscar scored twice with the last goal from sub Mohamed Salah.
Last week, it took extra-time and the howler from Reading goalkeeper Adam Federici to see Arsenal through to another FA Cup final. But if Arsenal need to win a game before the end of this season, it’s this tomorrow – then the FA Cup final.
Although the FA Cup final is important but if they can beat Chelsea, they will have beaten all other clubs currently residing in the top-four. Having seen off Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool in recent weeks, a victory over Chelsea would undoubtedly help the squad’s development.
But if they lose once again to Chelsea having been comprehensively beaten at Stamford Bridge 2-0 earlier in the season, the long-term effects could be detrimental to this side’s growth that has come on leaps and bounds over the last 15 months.
Chelsea midfielder and former Arsenal skipper, Cesc Fabregas has admitted he is absolutely desperate to end his wait for a Premier League winner’s medal. The Spanish midfielder spent eight years playing for Arsenal between 2003-11 but only won the FA Cup and Community Shield before moving to Barcelona.
“We want to give satisfaction to the supporters. It’s been five years for them without winning the Premier League title. I’d love to win it as soon as possible”
“It’s massive. We are level on games now, we are 10 points in front and we don’t want to give them hope to put pressure on us”
To have any chance of a Premier League win, the Gunners must beat Chelsea, who, with three points at the Emirates Stadium, would require just three more to be champions.
That could happen as soon as next Wednesday (April 29) at Leicester when Chelsea play their outstanding match.
Chelsea won the title in 2005 and 2006 – Jose Mourinho’s first two seasons in charge – and in 2010 under Carlo Ancelotti.
MATCH FACTS
– Arsenal have been winning at both half time and full time in their last 8 home matches in the Premier League.
– Arsenal have won their last 9 home matches in the Premier League.
– Arsenal have scored at least 2 goals in their last 8 home matches in the Premier League.
– Chelsea have won their last 5 away matches in the Premier League.
– There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 7 of Arsenal’s last 8 home games in the Premier League.
– Chelsea have won with a 1 goal margin in their last 4 away matches in the Premier League.
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